One-hand fold handle for infant carrier

ABSTRACT

An infant carrier includes a seat shell and a handle. The handle may be moved between a carrying position and a storage position by actuating, with only one hand, an actuator assembly provided in the handle. When actuated, an actuator of the actuator assembly disengages locking mechanisms associated with first and second ends of the handle where the handle is joined to the seat shell. The disengagement of the locking mechanisms enables to the handle to be rotated with respect to the seat shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/525,849, filed Dec. 1, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/561,530, filed Apr. 13, 2004, both of which are incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to an infant car seat including a foldable handlethat may be rotated between a carrying position (in which an infant inthe car seat may be carried) and a storage position (in which access toa seating area in the car seat is facilitated).

Rear-facing infant car seats generally include a base that can besecured to a vehicle seat and an infant carrier detachably coupled tothe base. The infant carrier has a carrying handle so that a parent cancarry a sleeping child from car to home without disturbing the child.The infant carrier also can be snapped onto a stroller to make a travelsystem. Thus, the infant carrier can play an important part in dailyparental care of a child, and ease of use of the infant carrier iscritical to parents.

When a parent wants to place a child in the carrier, the carrying handleneeds to be away from the child seating area (i.e., in the storedposition) so the child can be secured safely in the carrier. Carrierswith handles generally have a handle lock on each side of the carrier,both of which must be released to rotate the handle away from the childseating area. Oftentimes, the handle is left in the up (or carrying)position. When the parent goes to place the child in the carrier, theparent cannot simultaneously manipulate the handle and hold the child.Instead, the parent must set the child down, away from the carrier, thenuse both hands to unlock and rotate the handle away from the childseating area, and finally lift and place the child in the carrier. Thissequence can be awkward, frustrating, and time-consuming for the parent.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an infantcarrier with an improved handle release and rotation mechanism.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrier configuredto be secured to a base of an infant seat. This carrier includes, amongother possible things: a seat shell including an infant seating area andfirst and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seatingarea; a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first andsecond ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handlemounts, respectively; first and second locking mechanisms associatedwith the first and second ends of the handle, respectively, the firstand second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handlerelative to the seat shell; and an actuator mounted to the handle, theactuator being configured to unlock the first and second lockingmechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to anunlocked position relative to the handle.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant carrierthat includes, among other possible things: a seat shell including aninfant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount; ahandle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts; firstand second locking mechanisms associated with the first and secondhandle mounts, respectively, the first and second locking mechanismsbeing configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and anactuator assembly that is mounted to the handle, the actuator assemblybeing configured to engage and disengage the first and second lockingmechanisms thereby enabling the handle to rotate with respect to theseat shell.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a carrierconfigured to be secured to a base of an infant seat. This carrierincludes, among other possible things: a seat shell including an infantseating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of theinfant seating area; a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell suchthat first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first andsecond handle mounts, respectively; at least one locking mechanismassociated with one of the first and second ends of the handle, the atleast one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relativeto the seat shell; and an actuator provided in the handle in a positionintermediate the first and second ends of the handle, the actuator beingconfigured to unlock the at least one locking mechanism solely by movingthe actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative tothe handle.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an infant carrierthat includes, among other possible things: a seat shell including aninfant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount; ahandle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts; at leastone locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second handlemounts, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock thehandle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator mounted to thehandle, the actuator being configured to unlock all of the lockingmechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to anunlocked position relative to the handle.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a child carrier,including a handle in a carrying position;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 1A but with thehandle in a stored position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a connection between thehandle and a seat shell of the carrier of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a locking member engaged with the handle of thecarrier of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 4A is front view of the locking member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is a rear view of the locking member of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a handle mount configured to receive thelocking member of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the handle mount portion of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is an exploded, isometric, partial cut-away view of a portion ofthe handle, showing the relationship between a conical portion of thelocking member of FIGS. 4A and 4B and a cord engagement member;

FIG. 6B is an end view of the cord engagement member and the conicalportion of the locking member in a resting state;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the cord engagement member and the conicalportion of the locking member in the resting state shown in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6D is an end view of the cord engagement member and the conicalportion of the locking member in an actuated state;

FIG. 6E is a side view of the cord engagement member and the conicalportion of the locking member in the actuated state shown in FIG. 6D;

FIG. 7A is a break-away perspective view of a push-button actuatorassembly provided in the handle of the carrier shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,the figure showing that the push-button actuator is connected to a cordthat, in turn, is connected to the cord engagement member;

FIG. 7B is an exterior, close-up perspective view of the push-buttonactuator shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a break-away perspective view of the push-button actuatorshown in FIG. 7A, the figure showing that the actuator has slopedsurfaces that, when pushed rearward, can force a cord connector to bepulled inward, thereby pulling the cord and, in turn, the cordengagement member;

FIG. 8B is a break-away perspective view, in partial cross section, ofthe push-button actuator of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a break-away perspective view, in partial cross section, ofthe push-button actuator of FIG. 8A, showing the push-button actuatoractuated such that the sloped surfaces are driven into the cordconnectors, thereby pulling the cord connectors toward the center of thehandle;

FIG. 9A is a break-away perspective view of an alternative actuatorassembly; and

FIG. 9B is a break-away perspective view of the slide-button actuatorassembly shown in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbersthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an infant carrier 100 having an adjustablehandle 110 that can be folded with one hand according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

The carrier 100 includes a seat shell 120, a padded seating portion 105serving as an infant seating area, an adjustable handle 110, a handlegripping portion 112, and a handle actuator 820. The handle grippingportion 112, which extends along a substantial portion of the horizontalportion of adjustable handle 110, allows a person carrying the carrier100 to grip the handle 110 comfortably at any point along the handlegripping portion 112.

The handle 110 is connected to the seat shell 120 at two handle ends118, each of which contains a locking mechanism 200 (shown in FIG. 2)that is configured to releasably fix the orientation of the handle 110with respect to the seat shell 120. Specifically, the handle 110 isconfigured to be locked (by means of the locking mechanisms 200associated with the handle ends 118) in several distinct rotationalpositions including, but not limited to, a carrying position (shown inFIG. 1A) and a stored position (shown in FIG. 1B). In the carryingposition, a parent may carry an infant seated in the seating portion105. In the stored position, in which the handle 110 does not impededirect access to the seating portion 105, a parent can easily place aninfant in the seating portion 105 or remove the infant from the seatingportion 105.

The seat shell 120 and the adjustable handle 110 may be constructed ofany appropriate rigid material. For example, the seat shell 120 and theadjustable handle 110 may be constructed of metal or a high-strengthplastic such as an injection molded plastic.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the locking mechanism 200 ofthe carrier 100. It is to be understood that although only one lockingmechanism 200 is shown and described, locking mechanisms 200 areprovided on both ends of the handle 110. Accordingly, the followingdiscussion of the locking mechanism 200 is equally applicable to thelocking mechanism at the other end of the handle 110. The lockingmechanism 200 may include a locking member 220, a locking memberreceiving portion 210 at the end 118 of the handle 110, and a handlemount 240 formed on a side of the seat shell 120.

The locking member 220 includes a recess portion 221, a conical portion222, a cylindrical portion 224, alignment locking tabs 227, a pluralityof teeth 229, which include at least one key tooth 228, andover-rotation prevention tabs 226. The locking member 220 may beconstructed of any appropriate rigid material. For example, lockingmember 220 may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic suchas an injection molded plastic.

The handle 110 includes the locking member receiving portion 210, which,in turn, includes over-rotation prevention tabs 212 and locking ridges216. Small gaps 218 and large gaps 214 are formed between locking ridges216. The large gaps 214 are configured to engage the at least one keytooth 228, or two teeth 229. In contrast, the small gaps 218 areconfigured to engage a single tooth 229 and will not receive the keytooth 228 due to their size. The over-rotation prevention tabs 212 areconfigured to engage the over-rotation prevention tabs 226 of thelocking member 220 to limit the extent of rotation of the handle 110with respect to locking member 220. The handle 110 and associatedcomponents of the locking mechanism 200 may be constructed of anyappropriate rigid material. For example, the handle 110 and its lockingmember receiving portion 210, including tabs 212 and locking ridges 216,may be constructed of metal or a high-strength plastic such as aninjection molded plastic.

Locking mechanism 200 also may include a biasing spring 230 to urge theconical portion 222 of the locking member 220 towards the locking memberreceiving portion 210 of the handle 110. The handle mount 240 canreceive one end of the biasing spring 230. The other end of the spring230 can be received in the recess 221 in the locking member 220. Thus,the biasing spring 230 biases the locking member 220 and its conicalportion 222 toward the handle 110. More specifically, the biasing spring230 biases the locking member 220 so that it is partially received inthe locking member receiving portion 210 of the handle 110, whereas theremainder of the locking member 220 is received in the handle mount 240.As the biasing spring 230 biases the locking member 220 to engage boththe locking member receiving portion 210 of the handle 110 and thehandle mount 240, movement of the locking member receiving portion 210(and, therefore, the handle 110) with respect to the handle mount 240can be releasably inhibited.

FIG. 2 also shows a pin 270 that serves as an axle for the rotation ofthe handle 110. The pin 270 passes through the locking member receivingportion 210 of the handle 110, the locking member 220, the biasingspring 230, and the handle mount 240 to secure the entire assemblytogether. Although not shown, the pin 270 may have threads thereon(e.g., the pin 270 may be in the form of a screw) that are configured toengage matching threads formed in or on the handle mount 240. However,it should be understood that the pin 270 may be formed from anyappropriate attachment mechanism such as a screw, a bolt, a shaft with alock pin, etc.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a portion of a handle 110. The handle 110includes locking member receiving portion 210, over-rotation preventiontabs 212, locking ridges 216, small gaps 218, and large gaps 214.Furthermore, handle 110 includes a pin hole 310, which is configured toreceive the pin 270, and a raised cylindrical boss 315. As shown, thehandle 100 may include three pairs of large gaps 214 and, therefore,have three distinct locking positions. However, it should be understoodthat any number of distinct locking positions could be accommodatedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 4A shows a front view of the locking member 220. The locking member220 includes conical portion 222 having a tip 223, cylindrical portion224, alignment locking tabs 227, teeth 229 (including the at least onekey tooth 228), over-rotation prevention tabs 226, and a pin hole 510.The other side of the locking member 220, which is shown in FIG. 4B,includes the recess portion 221.

FIG. 5A shows an isometric view of the handle mount 240. The handlemount 240 includes a pin hole 610, a spring mounting surface 620,locking tab receiving cut-outs 630, locking ridges 640, and key toothreceiving gaps 650. As shown in FIG. 5B, which is a front view of thehandle mount 240, the key tooth receiving gaps 650 are configured toreceive the key teeth 228, while the locking ridges 640 are configuredto receive the other teeth 229. During assembly, the biasing spring 230is placed between pin hole 610 and the spring mounting surface 620.Subsequently, the locking member 220 is placed into the handle mount 240until alignment locking tabs 227 engage the locking tab receivingcut-outs 630. As a result, the locking member 220 is biased away fromthe handle mount 240 toward the locking member receiving portion 210.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5A, the locking tab receiving cut-outs 630are longer in the axial direction than the alignment locking tabs 227.Thus, the locking member 220 is able to move axially (when biasingspring 230 is compressed) with respect to the handle mount 240, withoutbecoming completely disengaged from the handle mount 240. However, thelocking member 220 is prevented from rotating with respect to the handlemount 240 when the locking member 220 is received in the handle mount240 as a result of the engagement of the teeth 229 and the lockingridges 640.

Adjustment of the handle 110 of the carrier 100 now will be described indetail with reference to actuator assembly embodiments shown in FIGS.6A-9B. A first actuator assembly embodiment will be described withrespect to FIGS. 6A-8B and an alternate actuator assembly embodimentwill subsequently be described with respect to FIGS. 9A and 9B.Preliminarily, however, certain components of the locking mechanism 200of each of the actuator assembly embodiments will be discussed withreference to FIGS. 6A-6E.

As stated above, the locking mechanism 200 can include the lockingmember 220, the locking member receiving portion 210, the spring 230,and the handle mount 240. A cord engagement member 250 can interfacewith the locking member 220. FIG. 6A is a exploded, isometric, partialcut-away view of a portion of the handle 110 of the carrier 100 andillustrates the positioning of the cord engagement member 250 in thelocking member receiving portion 210 and relative to the locking member220. The cord engagement member 250 is positioned against an inner wall150 of the locking member receiving portion 210 to slide along the innerwall 150 upon actuation of the actuator assembly. In addition, the cordengagement member 250 includes a generally triangular or trapezoidalslot 252 to receive the conical portion 222 of the locking member 220.The conical portion 222 of the locking member 220 is urged into slot 252of the cord engagement member 250 by spring 230.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, in a resting position, the end of theconical portion 222 resides within the triangular slot 252. Morespecifically, the end of the conical portion 222 spans the wider base254 of the triangular slot 252 such that, as seen in FIG. 6B, a tip 223of the conical portion 222 is not in contact with the sides of thetriangular slot 252. Further, the teeth 229 of the locking member 220are engaged with both the small gaps 218 of the locking member receivingportion 210 of the handle 110 and the locking ridges 640 of the handlemount 240. Similarly, the key teeth 228 are engaged with the large gaps214 in the locking member receiving portion 210 of the handle 110 andthe key tooth receiving gaps 650 of the handle mount 240.

By comparison, in an actuated state shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E (in whichthe cord engagement member 250 is pulled toward the center of the handle110, as later explained in detail), the conical portion 222 of thelocking member receiving portion 210 is drawn into contact with thetriangular slot 252. As a result, the tip 223 of the conical portion 222comes into contact with the peak 256 and the sides of the triangularslot 252. In addition, as a result of the narrowing of the triangularslot 252, as the conical portion 222 nears the peak 256, the conicalportion 222 is moved laterally out of the slot 252, away from thelocking member receiving portion 210 and toward the handle mount 240.

When the conical portion 222 is moved laterally to the position in FIG.6E, the biasing spring 230 is compressed, and the locking member 220 ispushed completely into the handle mount 240 to an actuated position. Inother words, the teeth 229 of the locking member 220 are disengaged fromthe small gaps 218 in the locking member receiving portion 210 of thehandle 110 and are completely housed in the locking ridges 640 of thehandle mount 240. Similarly, the key teeth 228 are forced out of thelarge gaps 214 in the locking member receiving portion 210 of the handle110 and are completely housed in the key tooth receiving gaps 650 of thehandle mount 240.

When the locking member 220 is completely housed in the handle mount240, the locking member 220 is corresponding completely disengaged fromthe locking member receiving portion 210 of the handle 110. As a result,the handle 110 is able to rotate with respect to the locking member 220and the handle mount 240. For example, the handle 110 may be rotatedfrom the carrying position (shown in FIG. 1A) to the stored position(shown in FIG. 1B) in which the padded seating portion 105 is readilyaccessible.

When the handle 110 is rotated to a desired position at which the keyteeth 228 are aligned with the large gaps 214 in the locking memberreceiving portion 210 of the handle 110, the locking member 220 may bereturned to the resting state, as later described in detail. To returnthe locking member 220 to the resting state, the biasing spring 230pushes the locking member 220 into the locking member receiving portion210 of the handle 110, thereby once again locking the handle 110 withrespect to the locking member 220 and the handle mount 240.

To move the conical portion 222 of the locking member 220 between theresting and actuated positions, the invention contemplates an actuatorassembly, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7A-8C and 9B-9B.

An exemplary actuator assembly 800 is shown in FIGS. 7A-8C. For purposesof simplicity, this actuator assembly 800 is discussed with respect tothe locking mechanism 200 on one side of the carrier 100. It is beunderstood, however, that the other locking mechanism 200 (i.e., the oneon the other side of the carrier) is actuated in the same manner and bythe same actuator assembly 800.

Actuator assembly 800 can include a cord 810 that terminates at cordengagement member 250 (shown in more detail in FIGS. 6A-6E), a cordconnector 830, and a push-button actuator 820. The cord 810, which maybe made out of a flexible but strong material (e.g., a polymer, rope,wire, etc.), connects the cord connector 830 to the cord engagementmember 250. The cord connector 830, the cord 810, and the cordengagement member 250 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, thesethree components may be formed separately and then subsequentlyadjoined.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a portion 822 of the push-button actuator 820projects through the handle 110 and is, therefore, externally accessibleto a user for purposes of actuation, as hereafter described with respectto FIGS. 8A-8C. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, it can be seen that a sloped surface824 of the push-button 820 is received within a slot 832 formed in thecord connector 830. As a result, when the accessible portion 822 of thepush-button actuator 820 is pushed into the handle 110 (i.e., in thedirection of arrow α shown in FIGS. 7A and 8C), the cord connector 830rides along the sloped surface 824, thereby moving toward the center 160of the handle 110 (i.e., in the direction of arrow β).

As the cord connector 830 moves toward the center of the handle 110, itpulls the cord 810 and, in turn, the cord engagement member 250 towardthe center 160 of the handle 110. As a result, the cord engagementmember 250 moves in the direction of arrow ω, shown in FIG. 7A. Further,as the cord engagement member 250 moves in the direction of arrow ω, thelocking member 220 moves laterally inward with respect to the cordengagement member 250. In other words, the locking member 220 moves inthe direction of arrow β (as shown in FIG. 7A) and is, therefore, forcedinto the actuated state, previously discussed with respect to FIGS. 6Dand 6E.

To return the locking member 220 to the resting state shown in FIGS. 6Band 6C, the user releases the push-button 820. When the push-button 820is released, the biasing spring 230 forces the locking member 220laterally outward (i.e., in the direction of arrow φ in FIG. 7A),thereby forcing the cord engagement member 250 to move downward (i.e.,in the direction of arrow σ), which, in turn, pulls the cord 810 awayfrom the center 160 of the handle 110 (i.e., in the direction of arrowη). As the cord 810 is pulled away from the center 160 of the handle110, the cord connector 830 returns to the state shown in FIGS. 8A and8B. As a result, the push-button actuator 820 is pushed back (i.e., indirection of arrow γ) into the position shown in FIG. 7A. Thepush-button 820 can be actuated and released repeatedly.

Another actuator assembly 900 is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. The actuatorassembly 900 includes a slide actuator 920, two racks 922, 924, and apinion 940 (the axis of rotation R of which is fixed). The cords 810 andthe cord engagement members 250 function in the same manner aspreviously described with respect to the push-button actuator assembly820. Accordingly, a discussion of the cords 810 and the cord engagementmembers 250 with respect to this assembly 900 is omitted.

The slide actuator 920, like the push-button actuator 820, is providedin the center 160 of the handle 110. The slide actuator 920 is fixedlyconnected to a front rack 922 that, in turn, is fixedly connected to acord 810A that extends to a cord engagement member 250 (not shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B), as previously described.

The front rack 922 includes a plurality of recesses 923 that are sizedto receive teeth 942 that extend around the pinion 940. Similar to thefront rack 922, the rear rack 924 also includes a plurality of recess925 that are sized to receive the teeth 942 of the pinion 940. Moreover,the rear rack 924 is similarly fixedly connected to the other cord 810B.

To actuate the slide actuator assembly 900, a tab 930 projecting fromthe slide actuator 920 can be pushed in the direction of the horizontalportion of the handle 110, i.e., in the direction of arrow β. When thetab 930 is pushed, the front rack 930 (and the cord 810A attachedthereto) likewise is moved in the direction of arrow β. As the axis ofrotation R of the pinion 940 is fixed, when the front rack 922 moves inthe direction of arrow β, the recesses 923, which are engaged with theteeth 942 of the pinion 940, cause the pinion 940 to rotate about itsaxis of rotation R. In turn, the rotation of the pinion 940 drives theteeth 942 into the recess 925 of the rear rack 924, thereby causing therear rack 924 (and the cord 810B attached thereto) to move in thedirection of arrow η. As a result, both cords 810A, 810B are pulledtoward the center 160 of the handle 110 in a manner similar to thatpreviously described with respect to the push-button actuator assembly800. Moreover, as a result of the movement of the cords 810A, 810Btoward the center 160 of the handle, the actuator assembly 900 goes froma resting state shown in FIG. 9A to the actuated state shown in FIG. 9B.

To return to the resting state of FIG. 9A, the user merely needs torelease the tab 930. As a result, the biasing springs 230 will pushtheir associated locking members 220 into the associated triangularslots 252 of the cord engagement member 250, thereby causing the cords810A, 810B to be pulled away from the center 160 of the handle 110. Inturn, the slide 920 will be returned to its original state (i.e., theresting state shown in FIG. 9A) by a reverse rotation of the pinion 940.

Other actuation assembly mechanisms are contemplated. For example,instead of a push-button assembly 800 or a slide assembly 900, atwisting or rotating mechanism could be used. The moving members 114 ofthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B of U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,284,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, are twoexamples of twisting or rotating members that could be used in aone-hand actuation assembly according to the present invention.

Although the actuators of the above-described actuator assemblies arelocated at the center of the handle, it will be understood that, inother embodiments, the actuator can be located elsewhere on the handle,doe example, at either end of the handle or at a location intermediatethe ends of the handle.

It will be understood that the carrier 100 can be used in a variety ofvehicles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, buses, andairplanes. Moreover, the adjustable handle is easily operable and mayautomatically return to a locked position upon rotation of the handle toa selected position. In addition, because the locking member can engagethe adjustable handle over a large surface area, preferably over itsentire circumference (i.e., 360 degrees), the adjustable handle assemblymay be able to withstand greater forces without failure.

The embodiments set forth herein were for purposes of illustration. Thisdescription, however, should not be deemed to be a limitation on thescope of the invention. Various modifications, adaptations, andalternatives may occur to one skilled in the art, without departing fromthe claimed inventive concept. The true scope and spirit of theinvention are indicated by the following claims.

1. A carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat, the carrier comprising: a seat shell including an infant seating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seating area; a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handle mounts, respectively; first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second ends of the handle, respectively, the first and second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator mounted to the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock the first and second locking mechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.
 2. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the actuator slides in a direction parallel to the handle.
 3. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the actuator slides in a direction normal to the handle.
 4. The carrier according to claim 1, wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via first and second cords, respectively.
 5. The carrier according to claim 4, wherein the handle includes a housing, and wherein the first and second cords extend through the housing to the first and second locking mechanisms, respectively.
 6. An infant carrier comprising: a seat shell including an infant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount; a handle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts; first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second handle mounts, respectively, the first and second locking mechanisms being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator assembly that is mounted to the handle, the actuator assembly being configured to engage and disengage the first and second locking mechanisms thereby enabling the handle to rotate with respect to the seat shell.
 7. The carrier according to claim 6, wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator that slides in a direction parallel to the handle.
 8. The carrier according to claim 6, wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator that slides in a direction normal to the handle.
 9. The carrier according to claim 6, wherein the actuator assembly comprises an actuator, a first cord, and a second cord, wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via the first and second cords, respectively.
 10. The carrier according to claim 9, wherein the handle includes a housing, and wherein the first and second cords extend through the housing to the first and second locking mechanisms, respectively.
 11. A carrier configured to be secured to a base of an infant seat, the carrier comprising: a seat shell including an infant seating area and first and second handle mounts on opposite sides of the infant seating area; a handle rotatably coupled to the seat shell such that first and second ends of the handle are mounted to the first and second handle mounts, respectively; at least one locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second ends of the handle, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator provided in the handle in a position intermediate the first and second ends of the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock the at least one locking mechanism solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle.
 12. The carrier according to claim 11, wherein the actuator slides in a direction parallel to the handle.
 13. The carrier according to claim 11, wherein the actuator slides in a direction normal to the handle.
 14. The carrier according to claim 11, wherein the carrier comprises first and second locking mechanisms associated with the first and second ends of the handle, respectively.
 15. The carrier according to claim 14, wherein the actuator communicates with the first and second locking mechanisms via first and second cords, respectively.
 16. The carrier according to claim 15, wherein the handle includes a housing, and wherein the first and second cords extend through the housing to the first and second locking mechanisms, respectively.
 17. An infant carrier comprising: a seat shell including an infant seating area, a first handle mount, and a second handle mount; a handle rotatably coupled to the first and second handle mounts; at least one locking mechanism associated with one of the first and second handle mounts, the at least one locking mechanism being configured to lock the handle relative to the seat shell; and an actuator mounted to the handle, the actuator being configured to unlock all of the locking mechanisms solely by moving the actuator from a locked position to an unlocked position relative to the handle. 